Video gaming machine with player chosen cells to be played

Abstract

The invention includes the apparatus and readable medium that will execute the inventive method comprising the actions of displaying a plurality of symbols ( 21 - 29 ) in a plurality of cells ( 30 ), randomly selecting and displaying a symbol ( 21 - 29 ) at random in each of the cells ( 30 ) independently of the random selection of a symbol ( 21 - 29 ) in each of the other cells ( 30 ), and awarding a prize or triggering a secondary event mode in response to a predetermined winning combination of symbols ( 21 - 29 ). The method allows a player to select the number of cells ( 30 ) to be evaluated by the machine in determining the presence of a winning combination. 17An important additional action involves changing the probabilistic distribution of symbols ( 21 - 29 ) for presentation in the plurality of cells ( 30 ) in response to the number of cells selected by the player.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gaming assembly comprising; 
 means for accepting a wager from a player;    a display ( 20 ) for displaying one of a plurality of symbols in each of a plurality of cells,    a random generator for randomly selecting a symbol to be displayed in each of said cells independently of the random selection of a symbol in each of the other cells,    a game control for controlling game play in a primary game mode and a secondary event mode, for controlling images displayed on the display, detecting the presence of a predetermined winning combination of symbols, and for awarding a prize in response to a winning combination, and    a selector for allowing a player to select the number of cells to be evaluated by the game control to detect the presence of a winning combination within the selected number of cells.    
     
     
         2 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of cells includes three rows and three columns of cells and wherein said selector includes a sensor to allow the player to select a predetermined number of cells.  
     
     
         3 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said game control is additionally arranged to trigger a secondary event mode in response to a secondary event trigger condition.  
     
     
         4 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said predetermined number of cells include one, three, five, seven or nine cells for selection by the selector.  
     
     
         5 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said display is a video display arranged to a simulation of a reel for each cell with each reel capable of presenting a plurality of said symbols.  
     
     
         6 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said random generator includes a symbol processor for changing the probabilistic distribution of symbols available for random selection and presentation in each of the cells in response to the number of cells selected by the player.  
     
     
         7 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said game control includes a pay-table defining winning combinations of symbols for each number of cells selectable by the player.  
     
     
         8 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said random generator includes a lucky symbol generator for selecting one said symbol as a lucky symbol for providing an increased prize in response to a winning combination including said lucky symbol.  
     
     
         9 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  including a predetermined number indicator for indicating on the display the number of cells selected by the player.  
     
     
         10 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  including a bet indicator for indicating the amount of a wager.  
     
     
         11 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  including, in response to said secondary event trigger, the game control arranged to randomly select one of a plurality of positions and sending an object to one of said positions.  
     
     
         12 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said positions comprise representations of planets and said object comprises a space ship.  
     
     
         13 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 12  including an item selector for allowing the player to select a predetermined number of items.  
     
     
         14 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said event programmer presents an evaluation station and includes a transfer device for moving the items through space to said evaluation station.  
     
     
         15 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said evaluation station comprises a pawn shop.  
     
     
         16 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said positions comprise representations of planets and said object comprises a spaceship and wherein said transfer device comprises the loading of said items onto said spaceship and said spaceship delivering said items to said pawnshop.  
     
     
         17 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said event programmer includes an award designator for awarding credits to said items at said evaluation station.  
     
     
         18 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 17  including a credit indicator for indicating the total number of credits awarded.  
     
     
         19 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said symbols include representations of a pawnshop, a spaceship, and at least one planet.  
     
     
         20 . A method for playing a game comprising the actions of; 
 a player selecting a number of cells from a plurality of cells,    said player placing a wager with respect to said selected number of cells,    a random generator randomly selecting, and the game control and display displaying, a symbol in each of the said plurality of cells independently of the random selection of a symbol in each of the other cells,    the game control awarding a prize to said player in response to a predetermined winning combination of symbols occurring within said selected number of cells,    
     
     
         21 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  including the game control triggering a secondary event in response to the occurrence of a secondary event trigger.  
     
     
         22 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the said secondary event trigger is the display of at least a predetermined number of a predetermined one of said symbols within said selected number of cells.  
     
     
         23 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said selecting comprises a predetermined number of cells.  
     
     
         24 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said plurality of cells comprises nine cells.  
     
     
         25 . A method as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said selecting a number of cells comprises selecting one, three, five, seven or nine cells.  
     
     
         26 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said displaying comprises displaying as a video display a simulation of a reel for each cell with each reel capable of presenting a plurality of symbols.  
     
     
         27 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  including said random generator changing the probabilistic distribution of symbols for presentation in each of the plurality of cells in response to the said selected number of cells.  
     
     
         28 . A method as set forth in  claim 27  including establishing a pay-table for each of the winning combinations of symbols within the selected number of cells.  
     
     
         29 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  including randomly selecting and displaying one the symbols as a lucky symbol and awarding an increased prize in response to a winning combinations of symbols within the selected number of cells including the lucky symbol.  
     
     
         30 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  including indicating on the video display the number of cells selected by the player.  
     
     
         31 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  including indicating the amount of a wager.  
     
     
         32 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  including randomly selecting one of a plurality of positions and sending an object to one of the positions in response to said secondary event trigger.  
     
     
         33 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  including representing the positions as planets and the object as a space ship.  
     
     
         34 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  including selecting a predetermined number of items.  
     
     
         35 . A method as set forth in  claim 34  including presenting an evaluation station and moving the items through space to the evaluation station.  
     
     
         36 . A method as set forth in  claim 35  including presenting the evaluation station as a pawn shop.  
     
     
         37 . A method as set forth in  claim 34  including presenting the positions as planets and the object as a spaceship and loading the items onto the spaceship and delivering the items to the pawnshop via the spaceship.  
     
     
         38 . A method as set forth in  claim 35  including displaying animations and awarding credits to the player in relation to the items delivered to the evaluation station.  
     
     
         39 . A method as set forth in  claim 38  including indicating thie total number of credits awarded.  
     
     
         40 . A method as set forth in  claim 37  including presenting the symbols as a pawnshop, a spaceship, and at least one planet.  
     
     
         41 . A readable recording medium recording a control program for playing a video slot machine game on a display and comprising: 
 a display for displaying one of a plurality of symbols in each of a plurality of cells,    a random generator for randomly selecting a symbol in each of said cells independently of the random selection of a symbol in each of the other cells,    a game control for awarding a prize in response to a predetermined winning combination of symbols,    a selector for allowing a player to select a number of cells to be evaluated by the game control in determining the presence of a winning combination.    
     
     
         42 . A medium as set forth in  claim 41  wherein said random generator includes a symbol processor for changing the probabilistic distribution of symbols for presentation in the plurality of cells in response to the number of cells in said selected number of cells.  
     
     
         43 . A method for playing a game, comprising: 
 presenting a plurality of selectable cells,    selecting one or more of said cells,    randomly presenting a symbol in said cells,    comparing said symbols in said selected cells with a schedule to determine whether a winning outcome, a losing outcome, or a bonus outcome has occurred, and    rewarding credits according to said pay schedule in the event of a winning outcome being determined ending the game in the event of a losing outcome being determined, or initiating a bonus event when a bonus outcome is determined.